Crime and Clues

I recently had the opportunity to test the Gunsights Firearm Reference software from Forensic Technology Inc. (FTI http://www.forensictechnologyinc.com). FTI is better known for it's IBIS ballistics imaging system, which is in use with the ATF and other agencies worldwide.

Gunsights is essentially a database with entries of some 2000 different types of guns. In addition to pictures and descriptions of the weapons the software includes information which makes it uniquely helpful to criminal investigators, including the number of lands and groves and direction of twist, serial number location and known serial number ranges.

The product ships on a single CD-ROM disk. Installation on a laptop running Windows98 went without a hitch. Install also went well on a desktop machine running Windows2000, however once installed the program would only recognize that the CD was present if it was placed in the first of the machines CD drives (the one with the lower drive letter). Depending on your choice of install options, this may not be a problem for you. I choose the compact install on both machines, which is about 40MB. A full install option is also available and eliminates the need to have the CD present, but takes up 650MB.

Once installed you are required to call the company for a software unlock code. This is the one thing I don't like about the software. Key codes for most software went out years ago. Most customers find them annoying, and they often run into problems. This one is no different. On the phone one of the support tech's noted that simply running Windows Update often trips the software lock, effectively shutting the program down. The usual work around, he said, is to reinstall the software on a different computer. My advice to the company is save yourself the headaches and remove this feature in future releases. After all this program is primarily sold to law enforcement, so one would hope that they won't pirate too many copies.

Other than that mild annoyance, the software does everything that could be expected. You can browse through the records by caliber, manufacturer and etc., or search the records for guns meeting a specific set of requirements. Have an unknown bullet and need a list of the weapons it could have been fired from? Simply enter the caliber, number of grooves and the direction of twist and hit search.

Another great piece of information is serial number locations and known serial number ranges. Often weapons are recovered with serial numbers which have been obliterated. Depending on the condition of the weapon it can often be difficult to determine where the serial number used to be. Once you know where it should be, then you can set about recovering the number. Knowing the number range and prefix/suffix information is also helpful so that you know whether or not you are recovering all of the numbers.

Photographs of each weapon are also available, usually including multiple views, and both sides of the weapon. An option to view the images full screen, rather than the usual thumbnails, is available. (See the last of the screen captures at left). The photographs are very good, clear and sharp.

Detailed information is available about each of the weapons listed, including the history of the model, available calibers and manufacturer. Each manufacturer also has background and historical information available.

The software is a bit expensive, but it's not intended for the casual user. Agencies and crime labs who really have use for the software shouldn't have any trouble finding room in their budgets. Given the amount of effort put into gathering all the detailed information present, the program is well worth the money. As the company continues to add weapons to the database, it will become more and more useful.

Daryl W. Clemens